Integrating new automation technologies is daunting. Can you foster collaboration for a smooth transition?

Early engagement and collaboration is essential for automation projects. Frame the project by engaging stakeholders (typically management) identifying the high level objectives and measures of success. Engage “champions” to represent end users (typically operations and maintenance). Understand in detail the needs and ideas they have for design and execution. Often a small piece of information from end-users can make a SIGNIFICANT difference to a project’s success. Regularly update (e.g. fortnightly) project steering committee as well as end-users and stakeholders and seek input regularly (especially at key milestones).

Yes, fostering collaboration is key to ensuring a smooth transition when integrating new automation technologies. It starts with clear communication across teams, involving all stakeholders early in the process to ensure everyone understands the benefits and objectives. Providing training and resources helps ease concerns, while encouraging feedback ensures the system is tailored to the team's needs. A collaborative environment promotes problem-solving and shared ownership of the new technology, making the transition much smoother.

This is a question that relies completely on your industrial circumstance. Stereotypically this would flourish in the industries that prioritise segregation over process control and industrial fault mitigation. From personal experience, I find industrial technologies daunting in the way that technology evolves faster than business profits. Therefore, many workplaces are left behind due to ever improving/upgrading software. I believe those that are best off currently are those that are beginning their process control networks from scratch and not trying to upgrade previously established/yet outdated technologies to try and keep up....

Integração entre tecnologias, é algo que se deve realizar com uma transição bem clara entre as áreas envolvidas. Pois todas as áreas são afetadas, dependendo do tamanho da evolução tecnológica. É muito importante ter uma rotina de reuniões para acompanhamento e alinhamento ao longo do projeto, desde a fase conceitual até a entrega para o cliente.

Acredito que o envolvimento das partes afetadas pela mudança é essencial,tendo em vista que as equipes são compostas por diversas pessoas com culturas,aprendizados e formações diferentes.Durante todo o processo de implementação é necessário estar aberto a opiniões e aproveitar com sabedoria os feedbacks gerados pelos envolvidos de modo a efetuar a melhoria do processo que estará sendo automatizado.Todas as opiniões são importantes,mesmo as menos técnicas,o que irá gerar o envolvimento e engajamento das partes afetadas contribuindo para uma transição suave e organizada.

O envolvimento de todas as equipes afetadas é fundamental, pois garante que cada departamento entenda os impactos e os benefícios da automação. Além disso, essa abordagem colaborativa pode revelar desafios ocultos e fornecer soluções antecipadas, o que otimiza a implementação. Além disso, eu recomendaria a criação de um cronograma de treinamentos personalizados para cada equipe. Isso não só capacita os colaboradores a operarem a nova tecnologia, mas também reduz a resistência à mudança, promovendo maior aceitação. Manter a comunicação aberta e clara ao longo do processo e garantir suporte técnico.

In today's manufacturing it is highly important to involve everyone that will be associated with the project. It allows for all members to be able to accept some type of ownership to the project and gives many people the accreditation that many workers, and maintenance personnel don't get on a daily basis from management. A problem might be headed off if the planning accept and listens to the ideas from all sides.

Key Considerations for Effective Planning 1. Define automation goals and objectives 2. Conduct thorough process analysis and mapping 3. Identify automation technologies and tools 4. Assess infrastructure and resource requirements 5. Develop a detailed project timeline and roadmap 6. Establish performance metrics and monitoring protocols 7. Plan for testing, validation, and deployment 8. Consider scalability, flexibility, and future-proofing.

Pre-planning is critical in automation integration. First, define the automation architecture, ensuring all system components work together seamlessly. Then, select devices that are at least 130% more efficient than the current requirements. This future-proofs the system for growth and avoids major changes later on. After that, create a detailed project plan covering both software and hardware, such as program architecture and device flow. Finally, brief the team on the execution plan, ensuring everyone understands their roles and the system’s operation. This careful preparation ensures smoother implementation and easier future modifications.

One thing that i've found is to plan for the unexpected, because something always happens and tries to hinder the plan. It can be a simple as extra workforce, time, or a few extra parts. With today's world many things can be gotten quickly but you never know when a storm is going to hit the wrong place. Communication is the main thing that will help the plan and objectives to be met on time.

In my experience not everyone learns in the same style or way so your training must incorporate many aspects to allow for the different learning styles of your personnel. Some are better at class-room, while some are better at hands on, and even some only can learn if they have actually seen the issue or problem first hand. Kind of like no matter how many times you tell someone that it's hot and don't touch it, because you'll get burned. Until they learn from experience it won't sink in.

Durante o processo de automação é comum,em algumas empresas,que o treinamento seja focado apenas na manutenção devido a falta de formação técnica dos operadores que atuarão nos equipamentos ao decorrer do processo produtivo.Tal premissa acaba atrapalhando o desenvolvimento e o engajamento dos profissionais envolvidos pois muitas vezes a visão da produção difere da visão da manutenção. Acredito que o correto é investir em treinamentos diferenciados focados na área de atuação de cada envolvido,tendo em vista que para que a produção seja eficaz é necessário que todos os colaboradores entendam qual será a sua participação no processo como um todo.

In my experience, additional to FAT of new automation systems or migration of old ones, a thing that has been useful is install the HMI or Scada on site with I/O simulated. With this, operators, supervisor and Maintenance engineers can navigate, know faceplates and screens, move sets, know the tools that the new control system is offering to improve operation, troubleshooting, trending and production of the plant. Then, when the new control system is running everybody will have knowledge and they will be more comfortable with the change.

The successful implementation of an automation system relies on testing with real-world data. Creating an effective interface between teams is crucial for minimizing errors. Each department should test various data scenarios and document the results for review. A cross-functional team can collect and analyze this data to enhance or error-proof the final product. For the system to be efficient, it must be user-friendly, and feedback from users should be used to eliminate unnecessary features. The goal is to simplify the system for future updates and streamline daily tasks, ensuring the product is both effective and easy to use.

Já presenciei alguns processos que não atingiram o resultado esperado devido a falta de engajamento e motivação dos envolvidos.Fatores como a falta de clareza da liderança com relação ao processo e falta de treinamento dos envolvidos prejudicam o andamento e a implementação de um processo de automação,assim como a obtenção de resultados positivos. A motivação da equipe,o treinamento e o aproveitamento dos feedbacks de forma construtiva serão sempre o diferencial entre o sucesso de um novo projeto ou a falha.